| Thank you for the opportunity to serve you again
this year. I pray daily that God will direct me to be about His work
in the way He wants. It is a joy to encourage people and see how
God is working in the lives of individuals and in our congregation as a
whole. It is a privilege to come alongside people on a spiritual
level and see how their relationship with God makes such a huge difference
in their lives. We are blessed to share life and faith together in
the Rochester Covenant part of God's family.
One of my main responsibilities is to reach out to our congregation's
newcomers.
On Sunday mornings I greet them and help direct them to our programs.
When newcomers give us information, I follow up with a call or visit and
try to answer questions they may have about our congregation. Then
I try to connect them with people and programs that might meet their
needs and eventually with ways they can serve.
This past year I facilitated three "gatherings." I invite
newcomers and people from our congregation for an evening hosted in a home.
It is always a good time of laughter and of getting to know new people.
We finish the evening with a meaningful time of conversation, as we share
something of our faith story.
A fair amount of my time is spent connecting people and needs
in our congregation. My tasks often dovetail with those of the Congregational
Care Commission and I serve as the staff liaison to that commission.
I also serve as staff liaison to the Adult Christian Education
Committee.
Tuesday mornings I facilitate our staff |
devotions and prayer time. Each
week we share insights on the text for the following Sunday.
We then pray for the prayer requests that are shared from Sunday mornings,
prayer chain requests and other concerns we know about. It is a privilege
to work with people who are so intent on their faith and on serving God.
I picked up responsibilities in facility care from January through
May of 2007, as we waited to hire a new facility manager. During
that time I handed off some of my normal responsibilities as Director of
Congregational Life and took on the role of staff liaison for the Facilities
and Finance Commission. I now have a deepened appreciation for all
the behind-the-scenes work needed to make possible all that happens in
our facility.
I passed off my responsibilities for small groups last spring.
Then last fall I led a new small group in my home. When the six weeks
were finished, the group decided to continue on their own. We currently
have over 20 small groups in our congregation. Beyond that, many
of our people are involved in formal Bible studies, prayer groups, and
a number of settings in which they serve together and enjoy fellowship.
Near the end of the year, I worked on details to implement our focus
for "Reading Through the New Testament in 2008." I am so excited
as I anticipate what God will do as we focus on His Word in the coming
year.
Thank you again for letting me serve you.
Rosella Kvernen
Director of Congregational Life |
